U.S. women

Mitts scores winner in final seconds, beating Iceland 4-3.

Heather Mitts' second career goal was a winner for the United States women who squandered a three-goal lead, but defeated Iceland 4-3. -- Heather Mitts web site photo --

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Saturday, September 25, 2004) -- Reserve defender Heather Mitts poked home a loose ball in the closing moments, giving the United States women, who squandered a three-goal advantage, a 4-3 victory over Iceland in a friendly before 14,870 at sold-out Frontier Field tonight.

Abby Wambach, returning to her hometown, scored two first-half goal and assisted fellow striker Mia Hamm on a striker after intermission for a 3-0 lead. Iceland, however, found net three times in a five-minute span midway through the second half to tie the game.

"When I thought about what it would be like (playing in Rochester), this really exceeded every expectation I had," Wambach said. "The reception I got when my name was announced was unbelievable.

Following their Summer Olympics gold medal, the Americans have scheduled a 10-match "Fan Celebration Tour." After drawing the biggest crown ever at Frontier Field in tonight's opener, the U.S. again faces Iceland Wednesday night at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

Wambach has 20 goals in 21 matches in 2004, becoming the fifth U.S. woman to score at least 20 times in a calendar year. Michelle Akers, who will be induced into the National Soccer Hall of Fame next month, had 39 in 1991, and was followed by Hamm (20 in 1998), Kristine Lilly (20 in 1999) and Tiffeny Milbrett (21 in 1999).

At 24 years, 3 months, 23 days, Wambach is the youngest to achieve the 20-goal milestone. A graduate of Our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester, Wambach scored the winning goal in sudden death to defeat Brazil 2-1 in the Olympics final.

"This night was about Abby and I'm so proud that she had such a great game and scored two great goals," Hamm said.

In the third and final minute of stoppage time, reserve midfielder Shannon MacMillan sent a last-gasp, left-side corner to Wambach who went high to head it toward goal. Midfielder Julie Foudy pushed it forward for Mitts to knock between two defenders and home for the 4-3 final. Mitts' second career goal came in her 24th appearance with the national team.

After teasing the crowd with two early chances, Wambach put the U.S. ahead 1-0 in the 25th minute. Wit the Americans pinning Iceland in is penalty area , the ball popped out to the top box. U.S. midfielder Aly Wagner played it quickly to the right side to Cindy Parlow who beat a defender with a nifty move. Parlow chipped a cross from the edge box to the far post where Wambach rose above a defender and headed the ball into the lower left corner of the net past sprawling goalkeeper Thora Helgadóttir.

Seventeen minutes later, Wagner lofted a cross into the middle and once again Iceland had no answer for the 5-foot-11 Wambach, who snapped a header into the lower left corner for a 2-0 advantage with her 34th goal in 46 international matches.

Seven minutes after the break, Hamm charged through the defense and found Wambach with her back to goal. Wambach deftly back-heeled the ball into the path of Hamm, who hit the ball in stride and buried a left-footed shot into the top left corner to make it 3-0. Hamm extended her world record with her 154th career goal.

Hamm's pass "was behind me because I expected her to touch it to me a little sooner, so I back-heeled it," Wambach said. "It went right into (Hamm's) run and she blistered it and it went upper corner. It was a sweet goal to watch."

Iceland stormed back with three quick goals, starting in the 67th minute. Erla Arnarsdóttir, who entered the match a minute earlier, ran onto a rebound of a shot by her striker partner Olga Faerseth and bent a shot into the lower left corner from 12 yards past substitute goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill to narrow Iceland's deficit to 3-1.

In the 68th minute, defender Edda Gardarsdóttir found the net's right corner from long-range to make it 3-2. Four minutes later, midfielder Laufey Olafsdóttir also found the right side of the net from distance and suddenly the game was tied 3-3.

"We were all pumped and excited to play and we scored three goals, but then we started subbing and we all let down a little bit," Wambach said.

Referee: Kari Seitz (United States). Assistant referees: Sharon Wheeler (United States), Karalee Sutton (United States). Attendance: 14,870 (capacity) at Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y. Weather: Cool, cloudy, 69 degrees.